High-lift unit for rapid servicing of aircraft-installed lavatories

ABSTRACT

Self-contained mobile lavatory servicing and sanitation unit which expedites the cleaning of aircraft lavatory waste receptacles through a system of operably connected tanks and apparatus providing means for removal and carrying away of wastes from the aircraft and cooperating means for water-flushing of the receptacles and for transferring the wastes and the flushed material into the mobile unit, and cooperating means for chemically sanitizing and deodorizing the receptacles together with means for emptying of the removed wastes from the mobile unit and means for flushing, sanitizing and deodorizing the waste removal portion of the unit after emptying, the unit being vehicle supported and adapted to have major portions elevator positionable to closely adjacent the cleanout plumbing connections of the aircraft and provided with work stations having means for supporting an operator in an elevated position on the apparatus for operating the controls for the unit and the aircraft plumbing connections so that rapid, economic servicing of sanitary facilities on the aircraft can be accomplished in a unitary operation while the aircraft is positioned on the runway.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Alfred E. DeBoliac P.0. Box 947,Buena Vista Station, Miami, Fla. 33137 [21] Appl. No. 776,081 [22] FiledNov. 15,1968 [45] Patented Mar.16, 1971 [54] HIGH-LIFT UNIT FOR RAPIDSERVICING 0F AIRCRAFT-INSTALLED LAVATORIES 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl ..134/58,4/1, 134/98, 134/101, 134/103, 134/115, 134/168,141/9l,222/178 [51] Int. Cl B08b 3/08, 1308b 9/08 [50] Fieldoi'Search134/58,98, 100, 101, 103,123, 167, 168, l69;4/1,8, 10; 141/89, 91, 92,231; 184/15; ZZZ/(inquired); 137/(inquired); 134/115 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,240,227 4/1941 Saussure 134/168 2,531,00111/1950 Short 222/176 3,378,025 4/1968 l-lilde..... 137/205 3,439,3724/1969 Collier 15/50 3,460,177 8/1969 Rinehart et a1. 15/2l(C.O)2,787,278 4/1957 Mitchell 137/351X FOREIGN PATENTS 454,487 2/1949 CanadaABSTRACT: Self-contained mobile lavatory servicing and sanitation unitwhich expedites the cleaning of aircraft lavatory waste receptaclesthrough a system of operably connected tanks and apparatus providingmeans for removal and carrying away of wastes from the aircraft andcooperating means for water-flushing of the receptacles and fortransferring the wastes and the flushed material into the mobile unit,and cooperating means for chemically sanitizing and deodorizing thereceptacles together with means for emptying of the removed wastes fromthe mobile unit and means for flushing, sanitizing and deodorizing thewaste removal portion of the unit after emptying, the unit being vehiclesupported and adapted to have major portions elevator positionable toclosely adjacent the cleanout plumbing connections of the aircraft andprovided with work stations having means for supporting an operator inan elevated position on the apparatus for operating the controls for theunit and the aircraft plumbing connections so that rapid, economicservicing of sanitary facilities on the aircraft can be accomplished ina unitary operation while the aircraft is positioned on the runway.

Patented March 16, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet l ALFRED E. DeBOLlAC we MATTORNEYS Patented March 16, 1971 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALFRED E.DeBOLIAC BY I MW M ATTORNEYS Patented March 16, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 5RELIEF VALVE BY- PASS CHEMICALS TANK SOLENOIVALVE l2 V BATTERY PUMP 12v.0. c. MOTOR TO ENGINE START SWITCH TRANSMISSION NEUTRAL SWITCH INVENTORALFRED E. DeBOLlAC ATTORNEYS HIGH-LIFE UNIT FOR RAPID SERVICING FARC-INSTALLED LAVATORES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theinvention Waste tank servicing units for portable lavatories and inparticular to a mobile system and apparatus for rapid and economicservicing of the lavatory waste storage receptacles of aircraft. As usedherein, the term lavatory is intended to include the sanitary facilitiescommonly associated with portable rest room facilities such as toiletsand sinks for washing of hands and their associated plumbing.

2. Description of the Prior Art Servicing of portable lavatories whichmust be periodically emptied and made fresh for continued use hasheretofore been accomplished in number of ways, one example of which isshown in US. Pat. to Hilde, Jr., No. 3,378,025, which discloses a mobilesystem for evacuating and recharging portable commodes. Servicing ofaircraft-installed lavatories is commonly done by attaching an emptyinghose to the aircraft lavatory plumbing connections and leading the hoseto a disposal tank for dumping and, after emptying, a chemical chargemay be introduced into the lavatory waste receptacle. This has involvedmoving the airplane to a point of waste disposal and providing ladderequipment for personnel to reach the usually elevated plumbingconnection on the aircraft, and separate equipment to charge thereceptacle with chemicals. This has involved a considerable amount ofoperator lost motion in attending the aircraft and disposal pointplumbing connections and accomplishing the various functions necessaryto service the lavatory waste. With the increasingly high rate ofcontinuous aircraft usage brought about by the tremendous increase incommercial flight activity and the demand for keeping aircraft inservice, particularly when rapid turnaround and short stopovers of thecommercially scheduled jet airplanes occur, it is necessary that thelavatories be serviced as speedily as possible and, of course, with aminimum of personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The preset present invention contemplates aunit for servicing of aircraft lavatory waste storage receptacles byproviding a laterally and vertically mobile cleaning fluids supply andcontrol system having a waste removal and cleaning apparatus constructedof an operably connected assembly of tanks and associated equipmentwhich is interconnected by fluid flow piping or conduits, and which hasprovision for elevating an operator together with the apparatus andcontrols therefor, into a position closely adjacent to the plumbingconnections installed on the aircraft, whereby a single operator canaccomplish semiautomatically a completeservicing of a lavatory wastestorage receptacle and empty, flush, and sanitizedeodorize by chargingwater to receptacle with chemicals, from a position at once in closeproximity to both the aircraft plumbing connections and the tank system,and thereafter empty, rinse and sanitize the assemblys waste receivingtank for an operator position on the apparatus.

The mobile lavatory servicing unit of this invention provides cleaningapparatus including a waste receiving tank means for removing andcarrying away the wastes from the aircraft by transferring the wastes tothe servicing unit through a waste removal conduit or tube. The unitalso is provided with individual tank means for separately containingsupplies of flushing water and deodorant-detergent chemicals fordegerming, which can be fed into the water as it is supplied from itstank so that either flushing water or water and chemicals can beselectively and sequentially connected by a conduit hose to the lavatorywaste storage receptacle on the aircraft for flushing out and chargingthe waste storage receptacle or tank to place the aircraft lavatory infresh operating condition.

After the aircraft lavatory has been serviced, the cleaning apparatus isreturned to ground position and the vehicle is moved to a wastecollection and disposal area where the operator discharges the wastecollected from the aircraft and flushes out the waste receiving tankwith water from the flushing tank and if necessary, additionallycleanses the waste tank with water mixed with chemicals from thechemicals tank. Water and chemicals are recharged as necessary.

It will be appreciated that the tanks, receptacle, and other apparatusare combined so that the cleaning and sanitizing procedure of thisinvention can be rapidly conducted by a single operator by movementabout the unit and through the manipulation of manual and automaticcontrols which may be provided at strategic positions on the unit sothat the necessary controls are available to the operator in whateverposition he may be, such as. when connecting the unit to the aircraftplumbing connections. By this arrangement of controls and platforms formovement about the unit, he is able effectively and rapidly to servicethe aircraft lavatory waste storage tank.

The apparatus of this invention is elevator supported on the vehicle andhas portions operably interconnected by fluid conduit means providedwith an associated fluid pump for moving the water and water withdetergent chemicals through the conduit system under pressure anddirecting these as selected by the operator into the aircraft wastereceptacle in metered amounts. Pump energizing means are provided forelectrically operating the pump which may be connected into the vehiclebattery electrical system, or alternatively energizing means for thepump separate from the vehicle electrical system may be provided.

It will be appreciated that the fluid conduit system operablyinterconnecting the tank apparatus of the assembly can be provided witha fluid flow-direction control valve of the threeway type which includesa proportioning injector with the valve connected respectively in theconduits leading from the water tank and from the deodorant-detergenttank and connected into a conduit leading to thefluid pump so as toprovide under semiautomatic control by the operator for selectively andsequentially passing fresh water or a charge of water containingsanitizing deodorant-detergent under pump pressure through a quantitymeasuring fluid flow meter and through a flushing and charging hose intothe aircraft waste receptacle after or during emptying of its storedwaste contents. A second directional control valve of the three-way typecan be included in the system and the conduit from the pump led theretoso that the fresh water or the charge of chemicals mixed with the watercan be selectively directed either into the aircraft waste receptaclefor flushing or charging it with water and chemicals, or into the mobileunit waste receiving tank and sprayed onto interior walls thereof tocleanse it.

The system of this invention advantageously includes valve operating andcondition indicating means operably associated with the fluid directingcontrol valve means in the fluid conduits to provide for line-of-sightinspection and easy hand and automatic control of fluid flow conditionsby the operator from a work station position at once positioned on theunit closely adjacent to the cleaning apparatus and the aircraftplumbing connections to its waste storage receptacle when the apparatusis in elevated position, and when the apparatus is in its loweredposition, providing for dumping of the waste material which has beentransferred into the waste receiving tank into a disposal system such asa sewer followed by rinsing and sanitizing the tank.

Dual pump operating control switches can be provided respectivelyadjacent to one or more operator control and servicing stations on thecleaning apparatus including adjacent the three-way valve indicatordevices and meter so the operator can monitor the system operation andelectrically energize the pump from a choice of servicing positions orstations. Advantageously also, the flow meter is provided with means forresetting its reading whereby the amount of flushing water or water anddeodorant-detergent type sanitizing chemicals can be closely controlledand monitored by the operator on the apparatus while it is closelyadjacent the aircraft plumbing connection panel.

Also, the system of fluid conduits system can be provided with suitablerelief valve means installed in bypass piping around the pump to preventdelivery of excess pressure into the aircraft and automatic valve meanscan be provided in the conduit system and operably interconnected withthe pump energizing system to provide for automatic drainback of fluidin the flushing and charging hose to the apparatus during cleaningoperations when the pump is not energized.

The equipment forming the cleaning apparatus for the present systemadvantageously may be provided with a runningboard type of work stationsupport at the rear or back of it for an operator to stand upon andwhich may form a part of a protective enclosure or body shell installedover the equipment with the shell upper surface and the runningboardprovided with a nonskid top surface for personnel to stand upon whileservicing the aircraft.

It is to be appreciated that important advantages are derived bymounting major components of the apparatus of the invention on aplatform supported on a vehicle or automobile by an elevator or hoistattached thereto so as to provide for accurately positioning thecleaning apparatus and its controls and the operator into closeproximity with the plumbing connections at the lavatory servicingconnection panel on the aircraft.

The above and additional objects and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from attention to the annexed description anddrawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention which it is to beunderstood are given only by way of illustration of the inventiveconcepts herein and not as limitative thereof and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation of the lavatory servicing andsanitation unit of this invention showing the assembly of cleaningapparatus mounted on a vehicle together with an operator carried therebyin one servicing station position elevated into close proximity to thelavatory servicing connection panel of an aircraft, and in broken linesthe position of the apparatus in the lowered position and the swivelarrangement of the standpipe and dump tube;

FIG. 2 is an end view in elevation of the unit of FIG. 1 taken on line2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of rear portions of the unit of FIG. 1 takenon line 3-3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of fluid carrying and controlling portionsof the apparatus showing the tanks and their inlet and outletconnections, the flushing and charging pump,

the three-way valves, solenoid valve, and their interconnecting fluidflow conduits; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electrical controls for operating thepump and the fluid drainback solenoid valve with their connections tothe vehicle battery.

Referring to the drawings, the high-lift aircraft lavatory servicing andsanitizing unit of this invention is designated generally by the numeral20. It has a combined waste disposal and cleaning fluids storing andcontrolling assembly which makes up the waste removal and cleaningapparatus 22 and provides platform support for an operator 24 to servicethe portable lavatory waste storage tank or receptacle (not shown)installed aboard an aircraft 26. Apparatus 22 is mounted for mobility ona truck type vehicle 28. Solid lines are used to show the apparatus inits elevated or aircraft-servicing position. immediately adjacent to theaircraft lavatory waste storage tank which has its plumbing or servicingconnections through a connection panel 30. Broken lines are used to showthe apparatus in its lowered, near the ground or waste transporting anddisposal position close above the vehicle chassis.

The waste removal and cleaning apparatus 22 is supported on arectangular platformlike base or flooring 34 forming part of a scissorstype hoist or elevator device 36 horizontally supported on the vehiclehaving portions vertically positionable on it. Upper scissors portionsof the assembly are connected to the flooring and lower portions of thescissors arranged for support from a rectangular subframe 38 installedon the vehicle chassis. The vehicle, elevator, and attached cleaningapparatus assembly thus form a high-lift unit for servicing aircraftlavatories which is both mobile and adapted to position to a substantialheight closely adjacent the lavatory servicing connections of theaircraft the waste disposal and cleaning fluid storage and controllingequipment together with an aircraft servicing operator.

The elevator device 36 is arranged on the rear of the vehicle so as tosupport the cleaning apparatus below the vehicle cab rear window so asnot to obstruct the driving view. The elevator device has a pair ofrectangular inner and outer scissors frames 40 and 42 respectivelyforming a thrust member and a leveling member pivotally connected by ashaft 44. The shaft passes through a cross brace 46 joining side membersof the inner scissors frame and has its ends journaled in bearingspositioned in the side members of the outer scissors frame.

Outer scissors frame 42 has its forward end pivotally secured to aforward thrust headerSO attached across subframe 38 and at its other endis slidably pivoted on pivot pins 52 which can move in a pair of slots54 defined in vertical side portions of floor girders supporting theflooring 34. Lower ends of the inner scissors frame 40 are pivotallyslidable in slot guideways 56 defined through side members of thesubframe and has its upper or forward end pivotally fixed to the forwardend of the floor girders. The elevator can be raised and lowered toposition the height of the cleaning apparatus and operator to bestadvantage by a pair of hydraulic cylinder and ram assemblies 58. Therear end of the cylinders are pivotally attached to a rear thrust head60 mounted across the subframe and the forward or ram portions of thecylinder assemblies connected to a thrust header bar and brace device 62attached across the inner scissors frame. Operator controllable means(not shown) are provided for hydraulically operating the cylinder andram assemblies to selectively raise or lower the apparatus 22 and itsoperator between a lower position adjacent the vehicle chassis andselected elevated positions for servicing aircraft at different heights(see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The assembly forming the cleaning apparatus 22 includes a wastereceiving tank 64 arranged in rearwardly down-tilted position and intowhich the refuse-or waste from the aircraft lavatory is transferred, aflushing water tank 66, and a chemicals or deodorant-detergent tank 68for containing the liquid sanitizing chemicals used in charging theaircraft lavatory waste receptacles or the waste receiving tank of theunit to clean and sanitize and deodorize them. The tanks are supportedon the flooring 34 with their associated piping and equipment and theapparatus and flooring covered by a protective body shell 70.

The waste receiving tank 64 has a waste inlet 74 and is provided with aremovable large bore waste transfer tube 76 having quick couplingfittings at its ends, one of which is connectable to a dump valve fromthe aircraft lavatory waste storage receptacle on connection panel 30and the other to the inlet 74 to provide for gravity transfer of wastesfrom the aircraft lavatory waste storage tank into the receiving tank onthe unit. The receiving tank also has a large bore combination standpipeand waste dumping tube 78 which is connected into the receiving tankoutlet 80. The dumping tube is provided with a swivel joint dumpingvalve 82 so this tube can be swung in an are between its vertically upposition during transfer of wastes into the tank from the aircraft and avertically downward position providing a dumping valve action forgravity dumping of waste from the tank 64 into a sewer at a disposalpoint (not shown). The dumping tube also has a removable cap 84 forcovering its outlet end and is releasably secured to the shell 70 by alatch device 85.

The flushing water tank 66 has a water filling inlet 100, a water levelindicator device 88, and a water tank outlet which communicates throughpiping into a flushing and charging hose 94 through which eitherflushing water or a charge of water and chemicals is delivered into theaircraft. The hose is stored on a reel 96 and in use extended therefromas required so its discharge end can be connected by a quick couplingfitting attached thereto into a flushing water inlet connection to theaircraft waste storage receptacle located on the aircraft plumbingconnection panel during the cleaning operations.

The container or chemicals tank represented at 68 in the drawings forsupplying the deodorant-detergent type sanitizing chemicals has chemicalfluid outlet 102 for communicating by piping with the flushing andcharging hose 94.

The protective shell 71) covering the tanks and its support flooringprovides an enclosure housing the tanks 64, 66, and 6%, theirintercommunicating piping and the other waste removal and tank cleaningapparatus. The shell has an upper deck or top 106 spaced above the tanksa distance sufficient to accommodate a recessed box 193 having a hingedbox cover 110 so the box is adapted to store the waste transfer tube 76out of sight but convenient to the receiving tank when it is not in useas well as provide access to the waste receiving tank inlet 74 duringservicing. Transfer tube 76 is clamped by its end fitting to a nippleconnected to the waste receiving tank inlet and extending through thebottom of the box. Also, the box is sloped down and rearwardly to adrain 111 opening into the waste receiving tank and closed over by acounterweighted flapper valve (not shown) so waste water entering thebox can drain to the receiving tank. The shell also houses a storagecompartment 112 which contains the reel 96 with its hose 94 and has acompartment cover 114 provided with a hose port 116 through which thehose 94 can be reeled and unreeled. Also contained in the compartmentare the controls, valves, pump and fluid flow meter. Each cover 110 and114 forms a part of and closes flush with the upper surface of the shellto provide it with a substantially continuous upper deck when the coversare closed, and the top of the shell is adapted to support the operatorthereby providing a work platform during servicing operations.

It can be seen further that the body shell below the upper deck has alower deck extending outwardly at the rear of it as a horizontal bumperstep or running board 118 which also serves as an operator supportplatform at a servicing and control station at the rear of the cleaningapparatus. The running board and substantially the entire top of theshell are provided with a nonslip tread for safety in standing andwalking at various positions on the shell. The running board iscentrally divided into left and right portions which define a gapbetween them into which the standpipe-dump tube is moved when downwardlydirected for gravity dumping to a sewer. A hinged middeck 120 covers thegap between right and left portions to provide a walkway across theentire rear of the unit but which can be lifted out of the way whennecessary to dump the receiving tank contents. Access to the platform isat the right rear. A ladder 122 provides assistance to the operator inmoving about the apparatus and guard rails 124 are provided at the rearof the platform with those enclosing the left rear side of it useful asa ladder for reaching the top of the shell.

it will be understood that the various tanks already described areinterconnected by a system of intercommunicating conduits or piping andprovided with fluid and electrical control devices for controllingoperation of the system and apparatus of the invention. Thus, water tank66 has its outlet 90 communicating through a water outlet conduit 126with one inlet port of fluid controlling three-way typewater/waterchemicals charge valve 128 for supplying it with water. Portselection control of valve 128 is by its operating motor 129. Achemicals tank outlet conduit 131i connects between the chemicals tankfluid outlet 102 and an inlet port of the threeway water/water-chemicalscharge valve for supplying the valve with degerming or sanitizingdeodorant-detergent chemicals. The water/water-chemicals charge valveincludes a controllable proportioning fluid injector which can be presetto deliver when so actuated a determinable quantity of the chemicalsinto the water flow from tank 66 to form a chemical solution or chargewhich is available to the pump or it can provide for delivery of onlywater to the pump as desired. The valve has a lever 132 which acts as anindicator-pointer for monitoring the direction of fluid flow selection.The operator by choosing between a pair of pump actuating controlbuttons can selectively cause either flushing water from the water tankor a charge of water with mixed-in deodorant-detergent from thechemicals tank to be passed by pump suction into the three-way valve,then into pump inlet conduit 134 connected between it and a pump 136,when the pump is energized by its motor 138. The selected water orchemical charge can be passed from the pump into a pump outlet conduit1st) communicating with a second fluid controlling three-way typeaircraft/rinse valve 142 provided for directing the flushing water orchemicals as selected by the operator either to the aircraft or to thewaste receiving tank. The aircraft/rinse valve has a hand-control lever144 acting as a fluid flow direction indicating pointer for directioncontrol and monitoring of the flow direction by the operator. One outletport of valve 142 communicates through a meter inlet conduit 146 withthe inlet of a fluid flow meter 148 which indicates total gallon outputof the pump and which is hand-resettable by a reset button 150 foroperator control of its setting and for sight-monitoring of the quantityof either flushing water or chemical charge passed during servicingoperations. A meter outlet conduit 152 com nects between the meter andthe hose 94 for delivery therethrough and into the lavatory wastestorage receptacle or tank via its connection panel 30 of chemicalsand/or water when the control lever 144 is positioned to aircraft."Valve 142 also has a second outlet port communicating through a rinseconduit 156 with a spray head andpiping assembly 158 positioned in thewaste receiving tank 64 with the spray heads arranged to direct rinsewater or solution into interior walls of the tank to rinse and cleanseit.

The cleaning apparatus also has a normally open solenoid valve 162positioned for automaticcontrol of fluid flow in a drainback conduit 164which connects between the inlet to the hose 94 and the conduit 126leading into the water/charge valve 128. The solenoid valve iselectrically connected with the pump motor to close during operation ofthe pump and open when pump operation stops so as to provide an openpathway for an automatic runback of fluid in the hose so it can drainback into the apparatus to the water tank 66 to clear the hosepreparatory to storing it away in the hose reel storage container afterit is disconnected from the aircraft (see FIG. 4).

An electrically interconnected set of pump control switches and 172 arepositioned in cover 114 at the rear ends of the shell 70 covering theapparatus which allows the operator to energize the fluid pump through arelay device 174 and in the case of switch 172 additionally through arelay 175 in control of the electric motor 129 which operates valve 128,and this can be done from the various servicing positions on and at therear of the shell. Electrical energy for operation of the pump issupplied from the vehicle l2-volt battery 176 which is connected througha relay 178 providing for nonoperation of the system when thetransmission of the vehicle is not in neutral position. The batterysupplies power for the solenoid valve 162 (see FIG. 5). (see FIG. 5).

An elevator power control switch device 182 for operating the elevatorassembly through its control system (not shown) is also provided in theapparatus shell 70 to provide for the servicing operator on the shell toraise and lower the apparatus to the most expeditious servicing heightat any time during the servicing operations.

A waste removal and cleaning apparatus suitable for highlift servicingoperations as described herein has been found to include a wastereceiving tank having a capacity of from about 400 to about 420 liquidgallons; a flushing water tank of a capacity from about 240 to about 260liquid gallons, and a chemicals tank having a capacity of from about 2to about 3 liquid gallons for respectively holding the waste and thecleaning liquids. Satisfactory operation of the apparatus is achievedwhen piping or conduit sizes and the pump and its motor have a capacitysufficient to deliver 25 g.p.m. at 50 p.s.i.g. 5 at the outlet end ofthe flushing and charging hose. Suitable connecting piping conduits forattaching the cleaning apparatus to the aircraft for servicing of ithave been found to be a flexible flushing and charging hose which isabout 1 inch inside diameter and about 12 feet in length, and for thewaste transfer or refuse tube, a noncollapsible flexible conduit about 4inches inside diameter and about 8 feet in length.

The tanks are preferably constructed of stainless steel and theirintercommunicating piping formed preferably of brass or copper. Also,the pump, flushing and charging hose, hose reel, refuse tube, and allassociated piping with controls for the cleaning apparatus are containedin the body shell with a power transmitting wiring umbilical 188 leadingtherefrom to the vehicle battery for supplying power to the pump andcarrying power for operation of the elevator by the operator when on thecleaning apparatus.

For operation during winter months, the tanks are desirably providedwith submerged internal heaters 190, each having an external powerconnection 192 for attachment to an external source of electrical power(not shown).

In operation of the system, with the vehicle in its proper functioningcondition and the standpipe-dump tube latched in its up position, theflushing tank and chemicals tank are respectively filled to the properlevel with fresh water and deodorant-detergent sanitizing chemicals andthe unit-driven by the operator to the aircraft to be serviced andpositioned by sighting through the vehicle cab rear window to place thecleaning apparatus in the most convenient position below the aircraftlavatory servicing or connection panel 30. The operator places thetransmission switch in neutral and climbs onto the runningboard 118where he actuates the elevator power control switch device to lifthimself and the cleaning apparatus into close reach of the panel 30. Itwill be appreciated the operator may work from its top deck or the rearstep platform runningboard After opening the cover 110, of box 108, theoperator connects the waste transfer tube 76 to the aircraft dump valve(not shown) on the connection panel. The flushing and charging hose issimilarly connected at the panel to the aircraft waste storagereceptacle charging valve (not shown). The operator hand sets three-wayfluid control valve 142 using handle 144 to aircraft and sets the meterreading to zero position by knob 150 and by viewing the meter dial facethrough a clear plastic window set in the cover 114 above the meter. Theaircraft dump valve (not shown) at the connection panel is then openedto allow gravity draining of waste material through tube 76 into thewaste receiving tank 64. The operator then depresses the operatingbutton for control switch 170 which energizes the pump 136 and allowsvalve motor 129 to place valve 128 in condition for passing through itwater only from tank 66, and simultaneously causes solenoid valve 162 toclose. This action causesflushing water to be delivered through hose 94into the aircraft waste storage receptacle or tank to scavenge it andthe flushed out material passes by gravity through tube 76 into tank 64.Release of the control switch 170 stops pump operation and solenoidvalve 162 opens and allows flushing water in the hose 94 to drain backthrough drainback conduit 164 and solenoid valve 162 into the flushingwater tank.

The operator then depresses the other pump control switch 172 which actsboth to operate the pump and to close solenoid valve 162 through relaydevice 174, and through relay 175 to cause valve motor 129 to placevalve 128 in condition to pass water from tank 66 and cause theproportioning injector in the valve 128 to supply sanitizing chemicalsfrom tank outlet 102 into the flow of flushing water, and thiswater-chemical solution is charge into the lavatory waste receptacleaboard the aircraft to freshen it, and all or a portion of the chargecan be left in the receptacle by first closing the dump valve at theaircraft connection panel. The operator releases pump switch 172 whensufficient chemicals solution or charge has been passed to the aircraft.Drainback of liquid in the flushing and charging hose then occurs asbefore.

Following charging of the water and chemicals solution into theaircraft, the operator stows the hose 94 on its reel places valve 142 torinse" position using hand control lever M4.

With the charging and the dumping valves on panel 30 closed and theflushing and charging hose 94 and the waste transfer tube disconnectedtherefrom, the operator actuates switch device 182 causing the elevatorto be lowered by action of the hydraulic cylinder and ram assembly. Thecleaning apparatus is thus placed again close above the rear of thevehicle chassis and the operator drives the vehicle to a point of refusedisposal, for example to a sewer connection. Arriving there, theoperator swings the middeck section of the rear platform out of the wayand uncaps and unlatches standpipe-dump tube 78 from its catch to theshell and swivels the dump tube to a down position (see FIG. 1) over thesewer, opening dump valve at tank 64 whereby gravity dumping of thecontents of the waste receiving tank into the sewer will occur. Theoperator then depresses one of the pump switches I70 causing delivery ofwater from the flushing water tank into waste receiving tank 64 to rinseand scavenge it. If desired, the operator can then depress the otherpump switch 172 which again operates the pump and causes a charge ofdeodorant-detergent chemicals to be supplied with the water flow intothe waste receiving tank to further freshen it. Following dumping, thestandpipe and waste dumping tube 78 is returned to its up" position, thewaste transfer tube placed in its box, and covers on the shell closed.The unit is then ready for servicing an additional aircraft. If desired,the vehicle may be driven to a wash station where any portionof theentire unit may be hosed down with water and/or chemicals to clean theoutside of it if necessary, or the water with or without in theapparatus can be used for this purpose by hosing down through use ofhose 94 and the desired pump control switches.

In lieu of providing the three-way valve 128 which includes aproportioning injector in it for mixing chemicals into the flushingwater, such valve and the conduit supplying chemi cals to it from thechemicals tank can be deleted and the conduit leading from the watertank led direct to the pump inlet. A separate, liquid proportioninginjector valve, which is electrically controllable through relay in thesame manner as was valve 128, can be inserted into either the portion ofthe water conduit leading to the pump inlet or into the portion leadingfrom the pump outlet and a fluid supply conduit connected between thechemicals tank and the injector valve for chemicals to be directedthereby into the water flow. This injector valve would preferably beopen to water flow-through at all times but be normally closed toinduction through it of chemicals into the water flow except on closingof pump switch 172. This switch when selected and operated, would thenact both to operate the water pump and through relay 175 to open flowpassage for inductor injection of chemicals through the valve for mixinginto the water flowing in the conduit.

It will be appreciated that controls for the hydraulic system elevatingthe apparatus can be provided on the apparatus within reach of theservicing operator for one-man operation of the entire unit, or anadditional set of controls can be provided if desired in the vehicle cabto permit operation by two or more personnel, one on the cleaningapparatus and another stationed in the vehicle cab.

It will also be appreciated that various runningboard type operatorstations may be built onto the shell or can be attached to the liftplatform or flooring supporting the cleaning apparatus for raising theoperator into servicing position adjacent the apparatus on the aircraft.Also, the tanks can be constructed as one unit appropriately dividedinto compartments for accomplishing the functions described above andcan also be provided with all necessary sump type cleanout drains andinspection and repair manholes. Preferably, the chemicals tank is a bankof a pair of pretilled chemicals containers connected in parallel withsuitable conduits and valving for freely switching from one to the otherso that a filled container may be substituted for an empty one withoutinterruption of the immediate operating availability of the apparatus.

it will alsobe within the contemplation of this invention to provide thesource of electrical power for the operation of the pump on the cleaningapparatus instead of using power from the vehicle battery.

it will be understood that various changes and modifications to theinvention may be made, all falling within the scope of the inventiveconcepts herein.

1 claim:

1. A mobile unit for positioning a waste removal and cleaning apparatusso that waste can be removed from an aircraft lavatory waste storagereceptacle and the receptacle cleaned after waste removal in acontinuous operation which comprises a mobile vehicle; an elevator baseoperably positioned on said vehicle and adapted to be raised and loweredin relationship thereto; a waste removal and cleaning apparatus meanspositioned on said elevator base having a waste receiving tank means forretaining waste removed from said lavatory waste storage receptacle, acleaning liquid holding tank means for supplying cleaning liquid to theevacuated lavatory waste I storage receptacle, a first conduit meansoperably connected to said waste receiving tank at one end and having atits other end a connector means adapted to be attached to an outletmeans of said lavatory waste storage receptacle positioned in saidaircraft, a second conduit means operably connected to said cleaningliquid holding tank means at one end and having at its other end aconnector means adapted to be attached to an inlet of said lavatorywaste storage receptacle positioned in said aircraft, pump meansoperably connected to said second conduit means for moving cleaningliquid from said cleaning liquid holding tank into said receptacle insaid aircraft to flush it after waste has been removed; platform meanspositioned on said elevator base for supporting an operator; and controlsystem means on said waste removal and cleaning apparatus for raisingthe device to position it for waste removal and cleaning of saidreceptacle, for operating said pump means during cleaning of saidreceptacle, and for lowering the apparatus after cleaning has beencompleted.

2. The mobile unit of claim 1 in'which a plurality of cleaning liquidholding tanks are provided in said apparatus, one of said tanks adaptedto contain a supply of flushing water and another adapted to contain asupply of liquid chemicals so as to provide for cleaning and sanitizingthe receptacle.

3. The mobile unit of claim 2 in which a proportioning means is providedto regulate the amount of water to chemicals supplied in the receptacle.

4. The mobile unit of claim 2 in which said liquid chemicals when usedare conveyed into the flow of water after removal from the water tankand before entry into said receptacle.

5. The mobile unit of claim 4 in which a proportioning injector meansregulates the amount of liquid chemicals injected into the flow of waterfrom the flushing water tank.

6. The mobile unit of claim 2 in which said plurality of cleaning liquidholding tanks are connected to said second conduit through a three-waycontrol valve positioned therein to provide for selectivity among saidcleaning liquid holding tanks so as to direct liquid from one tank or amixture from two tanks through the said second conduit means into theaircraft lavatory waste storage receptacle.

7. The mobile unit of claim 6 in which the second conduit means has asecond three-way control valve connected therein downstream of saidfirst three-way control valve and a third conduit means operablyconnecting said second three-way control valve and the waste receivingtank so that the said first three-way control valve can be set to selectliquid from one of or two of said cleaning liquid holding tanks and thesecond three-way control valve selectively set to direct the flow ofliquid either to the lavatory waste storage receptacle or the wastereceiving tank.

8. The mobile unit of claim 1 in which a liquid flow meter is positionedin said second conduit, said meter having a resettable quantity-gagingdial so that the amount of cleaning liquid pumped from said cleaningliquid holding tank can be sightmeasured and controlled during thecleaning of the lavatory waste storage receptacle.

9. The mobile unit of claim 1 in which said second conduit has a bypassreturn conduit in it for returning cleaning liquid to said holding tankafter the desired amount of liquid has been pumped into said receptacle,said bypass return conduit having a solenoid operated valve in itresponsive to the operation of said pump means so that when the pumpmeans is in operation, the valve is closed, and when the pump means hasstopped, the valve is open to return cleaning liquid to the holdingtank, thus preventing spillage of the liquid on disconnecting saidsecond conduit from the inlet to said lavatory waste storage receptacle.

10. The mobile unit of claim 1 in which said waste receiving tank hasoperably connected thereto a dumping valve positioned in the bottomportion thereof for gravity discharging waste from said tank.

11. The mobile unit of claim 10 in which said dumping valve is a swiveljoint valve positioned in an elongated dumping tube operably connectedto the bottom of said tank so that when the dumping tube is in anupright position, the swivel joint valve is closed, and when the dumpingtube is downwardly extended, the swivel joint valve is open for dumpingwaste through said tube.

12. The mobile unit of claim 1 in which said first and second conduitshave flexible end portions for making connections with the outlet meansand inlet means, respectively, of said lavatory waste storagereceptacle.

1. A mobile unit for positioning a waste removal and cleaning apparatusso that waste can be removed from an aircraft lavatory waste storagereceptacle and the receptacle cleaned after waste removal in acontinuous operation which comprises a mobile vehicle; an elevator baseoperably positioned on said vehicle and adapted to be raised and loweredin relationship thereto; a waste removal and cleaning apparatus meanspositioned on said elevator base having a waste receiving tank means forretaining waste removed from said lavatory waste storage receptacle, acleaning liquid holding tank means for supplying cleaning liquid to theevacuated lavatory waste storage receptacle, a first conduit meansoperably connected to said waste receiving tank at one end and having atits other end a connector means adapted to be attached to an outletmeans of said lavatory waste storage receptacle positioned in saidaircraft, a second conduit means operably connected to said cleaningliquid holding tank means at one end and having at its other end aconnector means adapted to be attached to an inlet of said lavatorywaste storage receptacle positioned in said aircraft, pump meansoperably connected to said second conduit means for moving cleaningliquid from said cleaning liquid holding tank into said receptacle insaid aircraft to flush it after waste has been removed; platform meanspositioned on said elevator base for supporting an operator; and controlsystem means on said waste removal and cleaning apparatus for raisingthe device to position it for waste removal and cleaning of saidreceptacle, for operating said pump means during cleaning of saidreceptacle, and for lowering the apparatus after cleaning has beencompleted.
 2. The mobile unit of claim 1 in which a plurality ofcleaning liquid holding tanks are provided in said apparatus, one ofsaid tanks adapted to contain a supply of flushing water and anotheradapted to contain a supply of liquid chemicals so as to provide forcleaning and sanitizing the receptacle.
 3. The mobile unit of claim 2 inwhich a proportioning means is provided to regulate the amount of waterto chemicals supplied in the receptacle.
 4. The mobile unit of claim 2in which said liquid chemicals when used are conveyed into the flow ofwater after removal from the water tank and before entry into saidreceptacle.
 5. The mobile unit of claim 4 in which a proportioninginjector means regulates the amount of liquid chemicals injected intothe flow of water from the flushing water tank.
 6. The mobile unit ofclaim 2 in which said plurality of cleaning liquid holding tanks areconnected to said second conduit through a three-way control valvepositioned therein to provide for selectivity among said cleaning liquidholding tanks so as to direct liquid from one tank or a mixture from twotanks through the said second conduit means into the aircraft lavatorywaste storage receptacle.
 7. The mobile unit of claim 6 in which thesecond conduit means has a second three-way control valve connectedtherein downstream of said first three-way control valve and a thirdconduit means operably connecting said second three-way control valveand the waste receiving tank so that the said first three-way controlvalve can be set to select liquid from one of or two of said cleaningliquid holding tanks and the second three-way control valve selectivelyset to direct the flow of liquid either to the lavatory waste storagereceptacle or the waste receiving tank.
 8. The mobile unit of claim 1 inwhich a liquid flow meter is positioned in said second conduit, saidmeter having a resettable quantity-gaging dial so that the amount ofcleaninG liquid pumped from said cleaning liquid holding tank can besight-measured and controlled during the cleaning of the lavatory wastestorage receptacle.
 9. The mobile unit of claim 1 in which said secondconduit has a bypass return conduit in it for returning cleaning liquidto said holding tank after the desired amount of liquid has been pumpedinto said receptacle, said bypass return conduit having a solenoidoperated valve in it responsive to the operation of said pump means sothat when the pump means is in operation, the valve is closed, and whenthe pump means has stopped, the valve is open to return cleaning liquidto the holding tank, thus preventing spillage of the liquid ondisconnecting said second conduit from the inlet to said lavatory wastestorage receptacle.
 10. The mobile unit of claim 1 in which said wastereceiving tank has operably connected thereto a dumping valve positionedin the bottom portion thereof for gravity discharging waste from saidtank.
 11. The mobile unit of claim 10 in which said dumping valve is aswivel joint valve positioned in an elongated dumping tube operablyconnected to the bottom of said tank so that when the dumping tube is inan upright position, the swivel joint valve is closed, and when thedumping tube is downwardly extended, the swivel joint valve is open fordumping waste through said tube.
 12. The mobile unit of claim 1 in whichsaid first and second conduits have flexible end portions for makingconnections with the outlet means and inlet means, respectively, of saidlavatory waste storage receptacle.